Welcome to Wonderland (Criella/Open)

"Stay in line!"

That monstrous shout was followed by the frightened exclamations of confused citizens, all bound together and forced to walk one behind the other. Beside them, a large Hollow stood guard, his shape like that of a gorilla, but its face a pure white mask with tusks. It huffed, soon forcing the line to stop before an opening gargantua.

"All bow before the queen!" Came that voice again, only bringing out more cries of fear from the people, but, this time, those cries were cut short as the Hollow brought up its muscular arm and slammed it down on one of the citizens, instantly reducing the man to a fine paste on the ground.

"Quiet!" The Hollow yelled as everyone closed their mouths, only faint whimpers and sobbing leaving their running nostrils. "Now, bow before the queen," It urged once more as a figure emerged from the gargantua clad in a garment of blue and black, her face covered by a veil that barely allowed her cold blue eyes to shine through it. Before her, the citizens could only bow and hope they do not meet a grizzly end as their fellow captive.

"What have you that requires I leave my throne, Baskin?" Asked the woman, her voice a whisper, yet held a commanding tone and threatening undertone. It caused the Hollow to stand up straighter as the woman's blue eyes fell on it, piercing daggers that'd freeze one's heart solid.

"M-My Queen! I have brought fine morsels for your glorious kingdom. Orphans, families, those that have lost everything from the catastrophe that was Vastime's destruction. Use them as you will: add them to our armies, feed my kin, or simply bask in amusing activities. A gift from me."

Obviously, any could tell that the Hollow wished to gain the favor of its queen. For what gain, only it knows. However, it was met with only silence before the woman stepped forward, spying one particular man whose face reminded her of something of long forgotten times. His face was nothing but a sniveling mess though, a broken human: mind, spirit, and body. As the woman stared down at him, her gaze lifeless itself, the man gave up and fell further to his knees, shoving his face into the mud underneath them, pleading for his life to be spared. His cries were quickly cut off as his head simply stopped existing, the sudden mass of energy silencing his annoying drivel.

"You waste my time, Baskin, and leave my feet dirtied by common ground. These humans are nothing but a lousy appetizer. Let the mutts have at them."

Africa again... Morikawa Mizu had not had the best experience on the Mother Continent recently, though neither had the millions of people who'd perished when a massive gaping hole opened up underneath it's capital city. After this initial catastrophe monstrous behemoths barely recognizable as Hollows had swarmed out of the sinkhole, but with the combined efforts of the Gotei United and Vandenreich they were each defeated in succession. Unfortunately for Africa's peoples, their problems were not over.

Once Mizu returned to Soul Society after her battle in Vastime she requested the Living Realm Division keep her up to date with the latest developments there. This would prove fruitful as she was given notice of a series of reports of suspicious Hollow activity in one particular area where refugees seemed to be going missing. With a quick notification to the 8th Division about her mission to investigate the reports, Mizu was out the door of the squad barracks and passing through a Senkaimon in just a few minutes.

Though she had just been here recently, the apocalyptic devastation was still stomach-churning to the blond Shinigami. She was, after all, still a stranger to war and the catastrophes it can bring. With a shake of her head Mizu pushed her distracting thoughts aside and focused entirely on her mission. By restricting her spiritual pressure and keeping to the shadows of rubble she was able to cross swaths of land unnoticed to any would-be prying eyes. She continued to do this as she followed the latest reports and the direction they said humans had been witnessed traveling in.

Eventually she was led to a clearing, her Denreishinki alerting her to the presence of Hollows. From behind a collapsed pillar Mizu was able to just barely make out a conversation between what appeared to be a Hollow and Arrancar, and through a sliver of a gap saw the latter execute a desperate human. With a surge of adrenaline fueled by a bubbling hatred for these things and their ilk, Mizu leapt from her hiding spot and immediately yelled the command of a spell "Hadō #54: Haien!" With precision Mizu loosed two spheres of purple energy, one aimed directly at the large Hollow's mask, hoping to kill it in one blow, and the other for the Arrancar who seemed to be in charge. This spell, known for eradicating what it hits, allowed her to both strike first and prevent any other humans from being in her line of fire.

Solomon Richter had always envisioned his first journey to Africa to be leagues above what he had witnessed so far. He expected to experience a rich culture, to meet people from a different walk of life than his own. What he encountered, instead, was nothing but bloodshed and the anguished expressions of countless civilians whose lives had been permanently altered in the blink of an eye. Whereas most of lesser mettle would find themselves haunted, Solomon had already engraved the indelible images of his own people in the aftermath of Ichigo Kurosaki's wake of destruction. Therefore, he had steeled himself in preparation.

His first success, alongside Igendai and Tento, was one he took pride in, but it was far from the end. That was one hollow of what would likely be many, if the reports were anything to go by. Concerning those reports, Solomon, too, had decided to keep a close tab, volunteering to stay behind offer assistance in rebuilding the lives of the survivors. Whether donating money or buying them a home in the City of Lights, he left no stone unturned.

A refugee had alerted him at the encampment he occupied in the nation of Vastime. Under the supervision of a soldat, he was made aware of missing refugees who were disappearing day by day. Solomon, who happened to be be playing a game of soccer with the children, bid them farewell for the moment, instructing each soldat to stay behind and look over the remaining survivors. He instructed them to call for backup if anything happened. Now, as it had been countless times before, was the time to act.

Like a bolt of lightning, propelled by the high-speed movement of Hirenkyaku, Solomon roared through the ruins of Africa. In the distance, he could sense three distinct spiritual pressures. One of them was overwhelmingly familiar. Mizu? Recalling their battle, he wondered about her presence. Then, there was a hollow and an Arrancar. Had she been sent here to deal with them by the Gotei? He would receive his answers once he arrived. His thunderous charge carried him toward the current scene. Mizu firing off a wave of Kido spells towards the enemy. From above, he could discern a helpless collection of humans bound together like slaves. These bastards would pay for their actions in blood.

He would not abide the sight a second longer, and in concert with Mizu's Haien, Solomon loose a lightning bolt at Baskin from above, targeting the beast's crown. If it struck true, he would land right before the group of survivors who remained, prepared to protect them with his life. He had been meaning to reunite with Mizu, and see how she'd progressed. To say he desired it under these circumstances, however, would have been a lie of the highest order.

Thinking oneself capable of simply ambushing a being beyond their comprehension, an attack of such lethality would always prove a mistake. However, Criella could not chastise a child who did not understand their place with words alone. As Mizu decided to prepare her attack, her presence had already been detected by the Arrancar. Without even a glance at her sudden adversaries, Criella moved with the grace of a woman who held no concerns.

The dying scream of the two vaporized men gave Mizu her answer. Her attack left the captured humans with two less, the sudden cry of a young girl paining Criella's ears as the youngling cried for her dead father. However, the crash of lightning soon developed the scene, Criella's form not even flinching as Baskin felt itself be singed by the attack, its own howls painting the scene.

"Stay focused, Baskin," Criella scolded. "We have company."

Her pale eyes moved to the two: a Quincy and Shinigami. She said nothing, contemplating the scene before her. However, her gaze held nothing but unconcerned boredom for the two, as if looking at two gnats that snuck through her screen door. As the large Hollow next to her rose up from its prone position after that attack, Criella tilted her head.

"Leave or die. I have no more time for nuisances."

Is that...? Mizu was surprised by Solomon's arrival, of all people to run into in this situation she didn't expect it to be him. After all, they had only just recently met, and the world is a big place. Or based on his entrance, maybe it's smaller than she thinks. She didn't, couldn't remain distracted by his presence for long however as Criella killed two more bystanders. Mizu was hardly surprised by an Arrancar killing people and just being evil, after all to her it's the one thing they all have in common, but witnessing it in person always set her off.

Mizu understood more than most that her absolute first priority as a Shinigami is to protect the living. She held this duty in the absolute highest esteem, and would never shirk it; thus she knew she needed to prevent any more collateral damage in the form of dead humans. "Solomon, deal with the Arrancar! I've got the people and the Hollow!" Mizu made sure to already be Flash Stepping forward as she yelled this to the Quincy.

Bakudō #4: Hainawa!" As she sprinted and formed a tendril of energy in each hand, Mizu made as if she planned on using the spell on Baskin. At the last moment, she changed her trajectory and wrapped both energy ropes around the linked-together group of people. Using every ounce of strength and speed she could manage Mizu pulled the group together into a single mass of limbs and frightened screams. She then spun on her heel and placed both of her hands out as she rapidly formed a plain Kidō barrier around the humans. She followed this up by adding another layer to it, this one made of many connected hexagons to form a stronger outside wall. Standing in front of the huddled humans, just outside the barrier, Mizu turned her attention to Baskin the Hollow and readied herself for whatever comes next.

Solomon nodded assent, turning his gaze on Criella without missing a beat. From spiritual pressure alone, he could tell there was a clear divide between them, but he didn't necessarily view it as insurmountable to overcome. Of course, unfamiliar with her ability, he could only rely on his indomitable spirit and ability to carry him through. Baskin momentarily stunned by their converging flow of attacks, but he rose up once again, almost as if the attack hadn't did much but sting him. He prayed Mizu would be able to handle herself, though his attention was solely occupied by Criella, his azure gaze burning with fierce determination.

"Likewise, your highness. Unfortunately, I cannot stand idly by while innocent people suffer. I refuse to let them be used as mere pawns for your sick games. Prepare yourself!"

Naturally, there was no hint of respect in the way he addressed her, your highness a mere taunt alluding to the arrancar's regal appearance and seemingly graceful disposition. The time for words are over, and Solomon is cleaving his sword through the air, releasing an electrified crescent of energy in a vertical cleave, the attack tracing toward at her at high speed. Presently, Solomon sought to maintain a distance to gauge her abilities. To attack at long range or engage her in close combat. What option held the most merit? Would they even prove successful? He could only achieve that knowledge through facing off against her. Everything else was sure to follow.

"Oh no you don't!" Baskin exclaimed, moving his arm to bat away at the whip of energy heading his way. However, his arm contacted nothing but air as the people were wrapped in that same rope-like energy and whipped away from the two Hollow. "Huh? Wait! No fair!" He bellowed in annoyance before he found himself batted to the side by Criella's staff. In the next instance, his body was electrified by Solomon's attack, his howls of displeasuring pain echoing around. Criella, on the other hand, remained passive to the situation, finding no hesitation with using the other as a shield for herself. Even as Baskin fell to the ground, dazed by the attack, Criella showed no remorse for her usage of an ally.

Reino Cayendo.

Criella rose her staff up, a mass of her sickening Reiryoku gathering at its tip. "That is correct, knave,' She began, that energy focusing itself, growing heavier and heavier with mass. "This is a sick game." Then, it exploded, firing bala from all angles around her desecrating the area and leaving any exposed living being at its mercy.

Though she still wished she had been able to get over the hump and defeat Solomon, for the moment she was absolutely thankful for his presence and assistance. Even as confident as she could be in her own abilities, or at least in her willingness to stand up to people she knew she had no chance against, with the lives of humans on the line there was no time to play games.

If this Arrancar was going to treat her underling as disposable, Mizu was willing to help her out in that regard. Unfortunately the Shinigami wasn't given much opportunity to take advantage of the fallen Hollow as it's master raised her staff and began charging energy atop it. Not wanting to waste the chance, Mizu quickly stated "Sajō Sabaku!" in Baskin's direction, causing a thick yellow chain to appear and wrap around it's body, hopefully locking its arms in place and restricting its movement.

Once the energy around Criella's staff exploded into many rapidly-flying blasts of energy, Mizu hoped Solomon would be able to hold his own. She knew she couldn't possibly protect the humans, herself, and Solomon, all while trying to defeat the threatening Baskin. Instead she opted to craft multiple layers of basic Kidō barriers in front of herself, hoping it would be enough to let her weather the storm coming from Criella.

Solomon was no fool. He knew it was unwise to remain inert while an enemy prepared their attack in advance, and after recognizing that his attack had hit an unintended target that wasn't Criella, he swiftly set into motion, preparing a counterattack to match the barrage of Bala. Electrified reishi gathered around his spirit weapon as he cleaved his blade forward in a sweeping slash, releasing a wide-ranging arc of electrified reishi, deflecting any of the bala that had sought to seek purchase against his own form.

The area seemed to take the worst of it, but Mizu had thankfully constructed an array of barriers to protect the survivors so far. Acknowledging that it's dangerous to let her charge and aim projectiles of any nature as an arrancar, Solomon swiftly races forth, guided by the high-speed boon of Hirenkyaku, flashing forward to appear before Criella, sweeping his blade forward to execute a vertical cleave, creating another crescent-shaped arc of lightning in it's wake.

From spiritual pressure alone, he could tell the odds weren't in their favor, but that was merely trivial information to a man who had vowed to defend those who couldn't defend themselves, and he would hardly go against his vows now. No, if anything, he'd simply push himself further, he'd go beyond his natural limit, all to attain the conclusion he sought.

An opponent who shows no care for her allies is a scary one indeed. Solomon made the mistake of nearing one who proved capable of doing anything she found acceptable to amuse herself, even if it costed her an ally. The bala being shot all around proved dangerous and hazardous, but they did not share uncontrollable aspects. In fact, Criella knew exactly what to do in a situation such as this.

His form may have been tied, but Criella did not need Baskin to be capable of combat to assist her. As the ground next to her exploded, Solomon found the dust rising blocking his view momentarily, the large form of Baskin suddenly in the space between him and Criella. His attack found purchase, but it was cleaving into the wrong target, and as Baskin was cut in two, Criella had one finger pointed at the blonde Quincy. Blue energy had already built before her finger, a dark outline around it. This is not a Bala. It is a Cero, and without a second thought, she fired the large cylinder of Reiryoku right into Solomon's path, uncaring for the incineration of Baskin.